Accra, Aug 25, GNA – Fidelity Bank’s annual Sustainability Conference will take off on Wednesday, August 27, this year.
The conference will climax the Bank’s Sustainability Month, reinforcing the organisation’s role in providing financial tools and strategic guidance necessary to build a climate-resilient economy in Ghana.
It will bring together experts from diverse backgrounds who will offer practical insights on how Ghana can accelerate its climate finance agenda through strategic partnerships and innovative financial solutions.
Ahead of the gathering, Fidelity Bank held three webinars for customers, staff, and partners under the theme: “Aligning Finance with Climate Action.”
The sessions offered experts a platform to explore how climate considerations could be embedded into financial strategies.
Speaking on the topic: “Just Energy Transition: Who wins and who loses”, Ms Efua Nyamekye Appiah, an energy expert,highlighted the complexities of shifting from fossil fuels to clean energy in a way that is “fair and inclusive.”
The transition, she said, would create jobs, improve public health through reduced pollution, and expanded access to affordable energy, particularly, for underserved communities.
Ms Appiah, however, acknowledged challenges such as job losses in traditional energy sectors and the risk of increased energy costs for vulnerable populations.
She emphasised that achieving “a just transition will requirecoordinated efforts, thoughtful policies, and a strong commitment to equity and sustainability.”
Mr Gerhard Muda, CEO of Climate Risk Services, led a discussion on “Climate Proofing Portfolios”, explaining thatclimate change was “no longer a distant threat but a present-day reality with tangible impacts on businesses and daily life.”
The climate finance expert highlighted Ghana’s vulnerability to climate risks, such as drought and extreme rainfall, which could pose challenges to key sectors like agriculture.
He underscored the urgency of integrating climate resilience into financial planning to safeguard investments and ensure long-term stability.
“Emerging markets like Ghana face a climate finance gap of $350 – 400 billion annually. Banks have a unique role to play in mobilising this capital, building resilience for businesses, and generating new streams of green revenue,” he noted.
On “Net Zero Concepts and Business Implications,” Mr John Tawiah, Africa Lead for Sustainable Finance Advisory at KPMG Africa, explained how businesses across Africa wereplanning transitions toward net zero emissions.
He cited the “triple bottom line” framework, urging companies to move beyond financial metrics and incorporate environmental and social responsibility into their core operations.
The discussion emphasised that effective and resilient transition pathways required context-specific approaches, alignment with policy frameworks, and scalable solutions tailored to industry realities.
The Sustainability conference will feature discussions moderated by Dr. Abena Nyarkoa Asomaning of Ghana EXIM Bank, who will explore “The Current State of Sustainable Banking: Mobilising Private Sector Capital for Climate Action in Ghana.”
Another panel, titled: “Climate Finance and the Real Economy”, will be moderated by Mina Agyemang, Manager for UN Global Compact’s Participants Engagement and Outreach.
GNA
Edited by Beatrice Asamani Savage